Cuba is facing blackouts and severe fuel shortages which have been worsened by the U.S. oil embargo. Additionally, food and medicine shortages in Cuba have called for international responses from Canada and Mexico to provide aid. Furthermore, President Donald Trump has intensified Cuba’s oil crisis by halting Venezuela’s oil exports to the island and signing an executive order threatening tariffs on any country that supplies oil to Cuba. 

The more recent aid from Canada has not yet reached the people of Cuba but details from AP News claim that Canada will be sending 8 million Canadian dollars (6.7 million USD) in food supplies. This decision aligns with Canada’s foreign policy outlines on humanitarian assistance. This aid will be delivered through U.N. agencies rather than the Cuban government. Furthermore, Canadian tourism is a significant contributor to Cuba’s direct investment. Amid the oil crisis, Air Canada has paused its flights to Cuba due to the island’s limited fuel capacity to refuel aircraft. This disruption highlights the economic strain on both countries and points to why Canada is preparing aid packages.  

Mexico has also shown solidarity with Cuba by providing oil shipments and humanitarian assistance. According to AP News, within the past week, two Mexican navy ships docked in Cuba bringing in approximately 800 tons of goods and 1,500 tons of powdered milk and beans. While Mexico had previously supplied Cuba with oil, it temporarily paused shipments in mid-January in response to building pressure from the U.S. 

The U.S.’ recent measures toward Cuba appear overly harsh, particularly in restricting other countries from providing oil to the island. Critics state that the U.S. is resorting to “blackmail and coercion to try to force other countries to join its universally condemned blockade policy against Cuba.” The U.S.’ intent on the tariffs and oil embargoes are directed towards the government of Cuba however, they have had a greater impact on civilians rather than leading to political change or ensuring U.S. security. In contrast, Canada and Mexico’s responses to Cuba’s crisis have been both decisive and impactful. Mexico’s attempt to foster dialogue and become an intermediary between the US and Cuba reflect a more balanced, peace-oriented approach — one that prioritizes regional stability and equality over coercive measures. 

What makes Cuba vulnerable to the U.S.’ oil embargoes is that the country only produces about 40% of its required fuel which makes it dependent on external suppliers. The U.S. has intensified restrictions on oil to Cuba because of the country’s perceived threat, along with its unstable government. Cuba is currently allied with Russia and China however neither has provided Cuba with any quantifiable aid besides vocal condemnation of the U.S.’ sanction measures. In regard to the island’s unstable government, the U.S.’ push for political change is partly influenced by Cuba’s alignment with Russia and China, as well as perceptions of corruption within the Cuban government. 

To conclude, the escalating U.S. restrictions on Cuba are aimed at protecting U.S. national security. But so far these restrictions have mainly impacted the civilian rather than political leaders in Cuba. Canada and Mexico’s efforts to provide food and fuel aid demonstrate that cooperative, multilateral approaches can mitigate humanitarian suffering and support regional stability. Moving forward, the U.S. should reconsider its executive order restricting other countries from supplying oil, as easing these measures could reduce civilian hardship and foster more constructive, diplomacy-driven solutions.